Vernal Pool Trail

Vernal Pool Trail is a 3.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Murrieta, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips and is best used from January until May.

It's was a great hike but got really hot early. I started at 9am and it was probably already 80*. By the time I ended the hike it was over 100* and the last half was really hard to get through.But it was very beautiful. At the start of the trail to one side was burned due to controlled fires and there were hundreds of conical spider dens.

This was a great trail, lots of variety in type of trail. If you go all the way out to the Adobes from the trail head it's about 3.75 miles round trip. There are some steep parts so wear good sneakers but it's beautiful, even when the pools are dried up!

Beyond impressed with this trail. From the diversity of landscape to the spectacular views throughout. Great learning opportunities for families and yet enough trail that if you want to feel one with the landscape you can easily get an expanse of trail to yourself. $4 entrance fee for adults/$3 children. Great place for a picnic at the adobe houses. Bring plenty of water so you can go as long as you want!

Kathy V.

Great trail to get an hour workout in. This is NOT handicap or stroller accessible unless you literally just walk to the vernal pools and back to the car. If you decide to take the loop, there are many hills and huge rocks you need to climb over.

Fun, easy trail. We brought the whole family. We went after a few weeks of rain so Part of the trail leading to the Adobes were very muddy and slippery. Difficult for some of the kids. But a great hike none the less.